These Mini Cheese Balls are a fun and festive holiday appetizer that are easy to prepare and always a crowd favorite.
Easy Holiday Appetizers
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Besides being able to spend time with friends and family, one of my favorite parts of holiday get togethers are the appetizers.
In fact, last year we hosted Christmas Eve at our house and instead of serving dinner, we had an “appetizer party”. I prepared an array of appetizers and asked guests to each bring something to share. It was amazing and surprisingly filling.
One thing I’ve learned when hosting though is that you don’t want to be stuck in the kitchen once your guests arrive. So I try to find appetizers that are easy to prepare but still equally delicious and filling.
This Whipped Feta Cheese Dip is always on my menu when it comes to delicious, party food. Especially since it can easily be made in advance.
Festive Mini Cheese Balls
These mini cheese balls are such a fun, festive and easy holiday appetizer idea.
Step 1 – Making the Cheese Balls
Only a handful of ingredients go into this recipe and often times I already have them at home. One less trip to the store is always a plus for me.
You want to let the goat cheese come to room temperature, which only takes about 10 minutes. This makes it softer and easier to work with. Then you just add a little lemon juice, salt and pepper, grated swiss, and a dash of hot sauce.
Once it’s all mixed together you form the cheese mixture into bite size cheese balls and the fun part begins…rolling them in toppings.
Step 2 – Choosing Your Toppings
The most fun part of this recipe, in my opinion, is the wide array of toppings you can choose.
For this recipe, I went with 3 different toppings –
- Everything But the Bagel Seasoning Blend
- Sun-dried Tomato and Dill
- Chopped Pistachios
You could easily customize the toppings though and include your favorite fresh herbs, dried fruit, lemon or orange zest, etc.
Serving Suggestions
I simply serve these mini cheese balls on a platter with tiny forks and crackers on the side. However, I’ve also seen them served with a pretzel stick stuck in the center of each and thought that was a cute idea.
Mini Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 8 oz goat cheese allow to come to room temperature
- 1/4 cup swiss cheese finely grated
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 dash hot sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp everythign but the bagel seasoning blend
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
- 1 tbsp sundried tomatoes chopped
- 2 tbsp pistachios chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the room temperature goat cheese, grated swiss cheese, lemon juice and dash of hot sauce. Mix well to combine, taste and season as needed with salt and pepper.
- Using a teaspoon or small scoop, form the cheese mixture into 12 mini cheese balls. Arrange on a plate and place in the fridge to set while you prepare the toppings.
- Place each of the toppings into a small bowl – one for the everyting but the bagel seasoning, one for the sundried tomatoes and dill and another for the chopped pistachios.
- Remove the mini cheese balls from the fridge and roll each into the desired toppings bowl to evenly coat the outside of the entire cheese ball
- Place on a serving platter and enjoy
